Domestic Chicky

I have to say that Thanksgiving is probably my favorite meal of the entire year. Who can argue with turkey, cranberry sauce, sweet AND mashed potatoes? Not I, that’s for sure. It’s my favorite meal to cook as well – it’s so hands on, and I get into my little zone, with Christmas music on my ipod, and my favorite apron, I am a happy girl indeed.

This is my menu so far. I make little improvements each year, and try to make one new recipe each year. This year I am going to try Pioneer Woman’s Mashed Potatoes, since her Sweet Potatoes were such a hit last year(although I omitted the pecans, they were still dang tasty!):

Turkey (using my top secret marinade)
Stuffing with cranberries and apples (basic Mrs Cubbison’s)
Pioneer Woman’s Mashed Potatoes
Pioneer Woman’s Sweet Potatoes
Green Bean Casserole (Campbell’s recipe, but I add 1/4 C parmesan cheese to the soup mixture, and about 1T to the topping)
Cranberry Sauce (and lots of it)
Apricot Jello Salad (recipe below!)
My Great Grandmother’s Fruit Salad (recipe below!)
Pumpkin Pie (made by my Father in Law)
Apple Pie (made by my husband)

…and believe it or not, store bought wheat rolls – I don’t know what it is about those things, but I can never make rolls as yummy as those. And I have made plenty of rock hard rolls to show for it. I can make bread, cupcakes, cakes, but the roll eludes me…

Apricot Jello Salad (family recipe from my Husband’s side)

• 2 small boxes Apricot Jello (Orange can be substituted)
• 1 can apricots
• 2 packages Dream Whip

Dissolve the Jello in half the water called for on the package. Let set for about 30 minutes, then puree the apricots and prepare one package of the dream whip (cool whip can be substituted – use 1 1/2 C for the jello mixture). Fold into the jello until incorporated. Pour into a 9×13 pyrex dish, and allow to set one hour. Prepare remaining Dream Whip (or cool whip) and spread over Jello. Cover with plastic wrap. Let set another couple of hours or overnight.

Great Grandma’s Fruit Salad

This has been made for Holidays on my Dad’s side of the family for as long as I can remember. It’s similar to ambrosia, but uses sour cream instead of whipped cream.

• 1 small can crushed pineapple
• 1 can mandarin Oranges
• 1 C sweetened Coconut
• 2 C Mini Marshmallows
• 1 C sour cream

Drain fruits, fold all ingredients together, let chill. That’s it!

I would love to hear about your Thanksgiving meals – do you go traditional all the way, or get brave?